With the others gone and the apartment settling into quiet, the space between them felt charged with possibility. Joon-ho turned to her, his eyes dark with intention, and Seo-yeon found herself leaning in without conscious thought. When his lips met hers, she didn't hesitate—she responded with a boldness that surprised them both.
There was no one else in the dining room now, no audience, no need for restraint. The alcohol had loosened her inhibitions, but more than that, the knowledge that she was accepted, that she belonged here, gave her a confidence she hadn't felt in years.
Joon-ho pulled back slightly, his eyes roaming over her face. Seo-yeon knew what he was seeing—the flush that had spread across her cheeks, the anticipation in her eyes, the way her breathing had quickened. She didn't try to hide any of it, didn't try to play it cool or maintain her composure. Instead, she pressed her body closer to his, eliminating what little space remained between them.
